Fustuk: A Graphic Novel - by Robert Mgrdich Apelian

About the Book

The odd one out in a family of talented chefs, seventeen-year-old Katah and his siblings strike a deal with a powerful div to save their mother's life in exchange for a dish that rivals their late father's.

Book Synopsis

Inspired by Armenian and Persian mythology, this delectable YA graphic novel follows the youngest of three dysfunctional siblings who strike a magical deal to save their mother's life.

"Beautifully realized and deftly told. Fustuk wonderfully balances the past and present, the magical and the mundane, lovingly presented in equal measure."--Trung Le Nguyen, creator of The Magic Fish

Seventeen-year-old Katah Fustukian has always felt like the odd one out in his family of chefs. Unlike his older siblings, he is useless in the kitchen, and too young to have known their late father--a legendary Hye chef who'd made a name for himself in the Pars Empire.

But with his mom's illness worsening, Katah hopes that his vision-like dreams are a sign of magic stirring within him--especially after they lead him to Az, a powerful div with some mysterious connection to his family. In an attempt to save their mom's life, he and his siblings strike a deal: Az's help in exchange for a dish that rivals their father's.

But after the siblings clash over what to cook, Katah will have to make sense of his magic and family history--and wager far more than a single meal to meet Az's demands...

Creator Robert Mgrdich Apelian weaves together multiple timelines in an inventive, fantastical story of Armenian family and food, speaking to diasporic culture and how those within it relate to their different worlds.

Review Quotes

"Apelian's limited color palette in each reality is stunning...With unexpected twists and detailed panels that bring the story to life, this exemplary graphic novel delivers Middle Eastern fantasy at its finest and should absolutely be on all shelves."--School Library Journal, starred review

"Apelian serves up quite the feast in this stunning graphic novel debut that celebrates food's ability to inform personal identity and foster connection."
--Publishers Weekly, starred review

"A heartfelt, visually inventive debut that captures the complexities of cultural heritage and the desire to belong."--Kirkus Reviews

"The mostly digital artwork in this culturally rich graphic novel is stellar."--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Beautifully realized and deftly told. Fustuk wonderfully balances the past and present, the magical and the mundane, lovingly presented in equal measure."--Trung Le Nguyen, creator of The Magic Fish

"Fustuk is a gorgeously illustrated journey through Middle Eastern cuisine, enriched with Persian and Armenian mythology. With heart and humor, it explores an immigrant family's struggle to honor their heritage while chasing their dreams."--Robin Ha, creator of Almost American Girl

"A family's journey through memory, magic, and meals. Apelian cooks up an absolute feast for the eyes and spirit. Be ready to devour every page, with art good enough to eat."--Sara Alfageeh, cocreator of Squire

"Each page had me craving more! A fantastic mix of heritage, culture, food, and magic--topped with a lovely spice of family drama."--The Kao, creator of the Magical Boy series

"Delicious, from start to finish. I too would make a deal with a div just to eat some of this beautifully drawn food. Absolutely breathtaking work."--Wendy Xu, creator of The Infinity Particle

"A thrilling feast of a tale about family, food, and the promises we make to each other that will leave you warm and satisfied."--Victoria Ying, Harvey Award-winning creator of Hungry Ghost

"Fustuk is a tale about how memory keeps us together as a family, group, or society. It will awaken your senses while serving Arabic Armenian and Persian food recipes for you to digest."--Filipe Andrade, artist of Rare Flavours

About the Author

Robert Mgrdich Apelian (he/him) is an Armenian American author-illustrator based in Everett, Massachusetts. He's an avid reader of seinen manga and is especially passionate about making the most of comics as a storytelling medium. A primary goal of his work is to celebrate the diversity and cultural excellence of the Middle East and to portray it as something other than tragic and war-torn.​ Visit him online at robertapelian.com or on Instagram @robertapelian.